Two new road construction projects are moving forward in Platte City after the board of aldermen approved agreements with the Missouri Department of Transportation on Tuesday night.

The agreements are for the widening and eventual takeover by the city of Fourth Street from Thomas Street to the city limits and for the widening and reconstruction of the intersection of Marshall and Hwy. 92.

The Fourth Street widening project is expected to begin in 2010 and will install concrete curbs and gutters along the road similar to Fourth Street north of Thomas.

The cost for the Fourth Street project will be split between MoDOT and the city. In the contract, MoDOT says it will pay up to $774,739.38 for the project. The agreement also says the city will pay their half and be responsible for any funds over the estimated total cost of $1.55 million.

Fourth Street south of Thomas is currently maintained by MoDOT, but after the widening project is completed, the city will take over maintenance of the roadway.

The widening and reconstruction of the intersection of Marshall and Hwy. 92 is expected to begin in 2011 and includes adding dedicated left-turn lanes in each direction as well as installing a fixed stop light system instead of using wires. The project also includes installing curbs and gutters on part of 92 Highway down the hill to help control water runoff.

The project is expected to cost a total of $941,867, of which MoDOT will pay $385,058. The city will be responsible for the other portion of the construction cost and all of the design costs, which total $556,808.

According to Keith Moody, city administrator, most of the city's funds to cover their obligation have been set aside through the city's capital improvements program(CIP). Moody said the rest of the money will be collected up to the project and set aside through the existing dedicated CIP tax.

Both agreements were approved with a vote of 6-0.

The board also approved the rate changes proposed last week for water, sewer, and trash.

The city had proposed increasing water rates for residents by 60-cents per 1,000 gallons over two years. The first increase will be of 30-cents beginning November 1 with a second 30-cent increase next year.

The increase for sewer rates was proposed to be 35-cents per 1,000 gallons used to take effect November 1.

The city's trash rate for residential customers is to increase by $2.45 per month for service. The rates will increase by $1.25 per month this year followed by an increase of $1.20 per month next year.

The city's commercial trash service customers will also see an increase in rates of 85-cents per month.

The rate increases were approved by a vote of 6-0 with little discussion of the rates.

The city's tax levy was also set on Tuesday night. The board voted to set the levy at $1.0095 per $100 assessed valuation for the next year. The levy is remaining the same as the previous year.

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